Charter finalizes deal to carry SEC Network

Published: Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, August 6, 2014 at 2:36 p.m.

ESPN and Charter Communications on Wednesday reached an agreement for distribution of the SEC Network when the channel launches on Aug. 14, according to a news release.

The announcement means that all major television providers in West Alabama -- Comcast Xfinity, Charter Communications, DISH Network, DirecTV and AT&T U-verse – will carry the SEC Network.

“We are excited to be bringing the SEC Network to Charter customers,” said Allan Singer, a senior vice president of programming for Charter Communications, in a news release. “We know that there are many SEC fans and grads in our footprint who are ready to cheer on their team and we are glad that the SEC Network will be available to them when it launches on Aug. 14.”

“With the addition of Charter, SEC Network is currently slated to be available to eight of the top 10 distributors nationwide at launch, covering 90 percent of all U.S. cable homes,” said Sean Breen, Disney and ESPN Media Networks senior vice president of affiliate sales. “We look forward to serving Charter customers nationwide, including many SEC markets.”

The SEC Network is planning to air 45 college football games this season, with each of the conference's 14 member schools playing at least one game on the network within the first four weeks of the season.

In total, the network expects to broadcast more than 1,000 SEC sports-related events in its first year, including more than 100 men's basketball games, 60 women's basketball games and 75 baseball games, as well as events from the 21 other sports at SEC schools.

Other programming will include commentary and analysis in studio shows, daily news and information original content such as "SEC Stories" and spring football games. Hundreds of additional live events from various sports will be offered exclusively on the digital platform.

<p>ESPN and Charter Communications on Wednesday reached an agreement for distribution of the SEC Network when the channel launches on Aug. 14, according to a news release.</p><p>The announcement means that all major television providers in West Alabama -- Comcast Xfinity, Charter Communications, DISH Network, DirecTV and AT&T U-verse – will carry the SEC Network.</p><p>“We are excited to be bringing the SEC Network to Charter customers,” said Allan Singer, a senior vice president of programming for Charter Communications, in a news release. “We know that there are many SEC fans and grads in our footprint who are ready to cheer on their team and we are glad that the SEC Network will be available to them when it launches on Aug. 14.”</p><p>“With the addition of Charter, SEC Network is currently slated to be available to eight of the top 10 distributors nationwide at launch, covering 90 percent of all U.S. cable homes,” said Sean Breen, Disney and ESPN Media Networks senior vice president of affiliate sales. “We look forward to serving Charter customers nationwide, including many SEC markets.”</p><p>The SEC Network is planning to air 45 college football games this season, with each of the conference's 14 member schools playing at least one game on the network within the first four weeks of the season.</p><p>In total, the network expects to broadcast more than 1,000 SEC sports-related events in its first year, including more than 100 men's basketball games, 60 women's basketball games and 75 baseball games, as well as events from the 21 other sports at SEC schools.</p><p>Other programming will include commentary and analysis in studio shows, daily news and information original content such as "SEC Stories" and spring football games. Hundreds of additional live events from various sports will be offered exclusively on the digital platform.</p>